SPJ Leads

SPJ News

SPJ Blogs: Newest Posts

Quill Headlines

Journalist's Toolbox

@SPJ_Tweets

Connect with SPJ

SPJ on Facebook

Upcoming Eventsand Deadlines

Become an SPJ Member

For more than 100 years the Society of Professional Journalists has been dedicated to encouraging a climate in which journalism can be practiced more freely and fully, stimulating high standards and ethical behavior in the practice of journalism and perpetuating a free press.

About the Foundation

Since its founding in 1961, the Sigma Delta Chi Foundation has promoted excellence and ethics in journalism. The SDX Foundation is a tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) organization that supports the educational programs of the Society of Professional Journalists and serves the professional needs of journalists and students pursuing careers in journalism.

Excellence in Journalism 2015Sept 18-20, 2015 – Orlando

Excellence in Journalism is the national journalism conference of the Society of Professional Journalists and the Radio Television Digital News Association. Join us in September in Orlando for training, networking, workshops and more!

SPJ Leads

SPJ News

SPJ Blogs: Newest Posts

Quill Headlines

Journalist's Toolbox

@SPJ_Tweets

Connect with SPJ

SPJ on Facebook

Upcoming Eventsand Deadlines

Become an SPJ Member

For more than 100 years the Society of Professional Journalists has been dedicated to encouraging a climate in which journalism can be practiced more freely and fully, stimulating high standards and ethical behavior in the practice of journalism and perpetuating a free press.

About the Foundation

Since its founding in 1961, the Sigma Delta Chi Foundation has promoted excellence and ethics in journalism. The SDX Foundation is a tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) organization that supports the educational programs of the Society of Professional Journalists and serves the professional needs of journalists and students pursuing careers in journalism.

Excellence in Journalism 2015Sept 18-20, 2015 – Orlando

Excellence in Journalism is the national journalism conference of the Society of Professional Journalists and the Radio Television Digital News Association. Join us in September in Orlando for training, networking, workshops and more!

EXPLANATION ON AWARD PROCESS. The SPJ board of directors voted Jan. 14 to retire the Helen Thomas Lifetime Achievement Award. Read the news release here. This came in a special board meeting called by the executive committee, which met on Jan. 8 in a previously scheduled meeting. At that meeting, the executive committee voted to defer the issue of how to proceed to the board of directors and send a recommendation to retire the award. Read the news release here.

To further explain the process behind the executive committee and board votes, SPJ Executive Director Joe Skeel posted this run-down on the SPJ Headquarters blog. If you want more background on the process or to comment, read the post here.

LINER NOTES AND STUDIO SPJ.Studio SPJ is a new series of half-hour Internet radio programs devoted to journalists talking on topics of interest to other journalists. The program, hosted by SPJ national Secretary-Treasurer John Ensslin, features authors and newsmakers. The show's companion blog, Liner Notes, serves as a guide for the show and will also be used to celebrate and promote the best and most creative programs SPJ chapters are offering their members.

The show's first episode last week featured author Dave Phillips about his new book "Lethal Warriors  When the New Band of Brothers Came Home." Listen to the full episode.

Studio SPJ is one of two shows, including Your SPJ Membership, that members can listen to on SPJ's BlogTalkRadio channel.

NOT WAITING FOR SUPERMAN. Several student media advisers concerned about the fate of journalism in high schools across the country have started a website to serve as a clearinghouse for teachers who need help fighting the elimination or reduction of journalism programs in their schools.

The advisers call their group the Scholastic Journalism Institute, and they encourage people who are concerned about the future of journalism in secondary education to check out their site at thinkSJI.org. The site includes a map of recent program cuts and urges educators to push harder against growing efforts to drop journalism programs in high schools.

SUNSHINE SUMMIT IN OHIO. Planning is coming along for the Ohio University SPJ and RTDNA chapters' "Sunshine Summit," bringing together student journalists and professionals from Ohio and beyond to discuss press freedom issues confronting student journalists.

The conference will include a series of panels, guest speakers and breakout sessions that will educate journalists throughout Ohio about current laws, university policies and how to protect their rights as student journalists.

CHATTING ABOUT SPORTS COVERAGE. Make the best of your time on Twitter by joining this week's #SPJchat Twitter chat on social media's influence on sports coverage. The "game" is changing and this week's panelists are giving a "play-by-play" on how to incorporate this resource.

The chat begins Thursday, Jan. 27 at 8 p.m. ET and will last approximately 90 minutes. SPJ DePaul University chapter adviser and Journalist's Toolbox editor Mike Reilley will moderate. For details on how to participate in the weekly chats and a schedule of upcoming topics, visit spjdepaul.com.

REPORTERS INSTITUTE. Since 2007, SPJ has held the Reporters Institute program to benefit early-career journalists. Graciously funded by the Sigma Delta Chi Foundation, the program brings 36 reporters together for three days of training, networking and camaraderie.

The Institute was developed by industry trainers and young journalists who were dealing with the same challenges participants face every day. Those in years 1-3 of their career are invited to apply for the June 12-15 (broadcast and video) or July 10-13 (print and writing) programs. Learn more here.

SEEKING GOVERNMENT TRANSPARENCY. Public Radio International, The Center for Public Integrity and Global Integrity are collaborating on a high-profile project to rate each state's risk for corruption. The effort represents the first in-depth, data-driven account of government transparency and anti-corruption mechanisms in all 50 states, using on-the-ground reporting, high-quality data analysis and citizen engagement.

CALLING LEADERS FOR TRAINING. Applications for the 2011 Ted Scripps Leadership Institute, June 3-5 in Indianapolis, are now being accepted. Professional and student chapter presidents and leaders are strongly encouraged to apply.

The program helps participants learn how to make their chapters successful with sessions on interpersonal and organizational leadership skills, as well as sound chapter management practices. The only cost to you is an investment of $100  all travel, lodging and meal costs are provided for this fantastic opportunity. The program is open to only 50 participants, so apply online today! The deadline to apply is March 16.

PAYNE AWARDS FOR ETHICS. The Payne Awards for Ethics in Journalism seek entries from news organizations, individual journalists and student journalists in broadcasting, print or new media. The awards highlight journalists that show a commitment to ethical conduct in the face of social, political or economic pressure. Nominations for this year's awards will be accepted until Feb. 25 for stories published or decisions made in 2010. Journalists and media outlets can self-nominate or be nominated by someone else. There's no fee to apply, and the award carries a prize of $5,000. For more, follow this link or e-mail payneawards@jcomm.uoregon.edu.

FELLOWSHIPS IN GERMANY. U.S. print and broadcast journalists have until March 1 to apply for a two-month professional exchange program in Germany. Successful applicants will spend August and September living, working and reporting for their home and host news organizations from across the Atlantic.

The Arthur F. Burns Fellowship is a competitive program open to media professionals between the ages of 21 and 37. Ten U.S. journalists are each granted a $3,800 living stipend while they are abroad, with an additional $1,200 for domestic airfare to Washington and international airfare to Germany.

LAST WEEK'S QUIZ. What journalism industry magazine celebrates its 50th anniversary this year?

A. The Columbia Journalism Review

And the winner is...

Sylvia Gurinsky of Penbroke Pines, Fla. Congrats, Sylvia!

THIS WEEK'S QUIZ. What philanthropist and supporter of investigative journalism passed away Saturday in Chicago at age 93? Hint: His foundation provided significant funding for the University of California Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism Investigative Reporting Program, the Center for Investigative Reporting and PBS-TV's "Frontline."